The USPTO's bimonthly publication for the independent inventor community

Rules and RoadshowsAn Update on the AIA

September 16th marks the one-year anniversary of the signing of the America Invents Act (AIA) into law, so what better way to celebrate than activating several provisions of the landmark patent reform bill?

Last February, the United States Patent and Trademark Office launched Patents for Humanity, a pilot program that creates business incentives for patent-holders to use their technology for humanitarian purposes.

The United States Patent and Trademark Office hosted youngsters on two separate occasions in June and July to recognize their achievements and encourage them to pursue education and careers in the sciences, respectively.

Many people may recognize Lonnie Johnson as the inventor of the Super Soaker, but he is much more than just squirt guns. The good doctor is currently figuring out ways to reduce humanity's dependence on fossil fuels and particularly the United States' reliance on foreign oil.